Improvement in safety-hooks



J. THORNTON. SAFETY-HOOK.

No.1 74,59Z. I Patented March 7,1876.

, if VQMW UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

JAMES THORNTON, OF WELLSVILLE, AS'SIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH HIS RIGHT TO PRATT & LETOHWORTH, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN SAFETY-HOOKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 174,592, dated March 7, 1876; application filed i I December 3, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES THORNTON, of Wellsville, in the county of Allegany and State of New York, have invented-certain new and useful Improvements in Safety-Hooks, which improvements are fully set forth in the following specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to a device adapted to serve as a connection for parts of harness and for various other purposes; and it consists, generally, of a hook composed of two corresponding parts pivoted together, and constructed in such a manner that by inserting a strap or other stop between two of the jaws of the hook the opening of the latter will be prevented, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Figure l is a perspective view, representing my improved hook as connecting the hamestrap to a hame. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the hook, with the hame and hame-strap in section. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 4 an end view of the hook. Fig. 5 is a plan view, representing the two parts of the hook detached from each other. Fig. 6 represents the hook open.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in each of the figures. v

A A represent the, two parts of the hook, resembling in shape the character or figure 3, and pivoted together at a, so as to be arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of the pivot. Each of the parts A consists of a graspingjaw, b, and a locking-jaw, 0, arranged on the same side of the pivot, the jaws b of both parts butting against each other, while the jaws c overlap each other, as clearly shown in the drawing. The overlapping jaws a slide one upon the other, and permit the jaws b to be opened suffieiently to grasp the part with which the hook'is to be engaged. Upon closing the jaws b their ends strike against each other, when the overlapping jaws 0 form a loop, in which a connecting strap, band, or other stop, D, is inserted, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This stop prevents the overlapping jaws from being closed, and consequently the opening of the jaws b. Upon withdrawing the stop I) the hook is readily opened and disengaged from the part to which it was connected.

My improved hook is especially applicable in cases which require the hook to be frequently adjusted from one place to anotheras, for instance, for connecting the hame-strap to the heme, as represented in Figs. 1 and 2. In this case the jaws b of the hook are engaged in one of the series of holes, 6, in the hame F, and the hame-strap D passed through the loop formed by the jaws 0, thereby sec-uring the hook firmly in place.

Upon withdrawing the hame-strap the hook is readily opened and adjusted higher or lower, as may be required.

My improved safety-hook is also applicable in numerous other ways-as, for instance, for connecting the handles to satchels-and is cheaplymanut'actured, while affording a most reliable means of connection.v

I claim as my invention- A safety-hook, composed of two parts, pivoted as shown, and provided with gripingjaws b b at one end, and overlapping jaws c c at the opposite end, substantially as and for the purpose described.

JAMES THORNTON. Witnesses:

LEWIS J ONES,

WHEELER HAKE. 

